Whale Swimming in Tonga on the Naia 2011
Well known professional marine photographer Mark Strickland and I will be co-hosting an exclusive 10-night trip in Tonga aboard the renowned live-aboard vessel Nai’a, in late August 2011. This special, limited-load trip will be dedicated to observing, photographing and especially swimming with the large population of Humpback Whales that visit these islands every year to mate and give birth.
The itinerary is designed to provide the best possible opportunities for quality in-water time with these magnificent animals, Of course the whales themselves decide when it’s playtime, but we’ll be employing some special tactics to tilt the odds in our favor as much as possible. For one thing, instead of competing with the growing number of day trip vessels operating out of Vava’u, our trip will concentrate on the little- visited island group of Ha’apai. There are lots of whales in these waters, but almost no other boats.
Another key strategy will be to limit the number of guests to 12 instead of the usual 16. This approach does make the trip more expensive, but I firmly believe it is worth it to make the most of our time. Both Mark and I have spent many hours among marine mammals in various conditions and locales, and we keep coming to the same conclusion: the fewer people in the water, the better the encounters.
The Nai’a has two 30 ft. tenders, providing ample space for 6 passengers plus guides in each boat. This way we can rotate two small groups in and out of the water from each boat, to ensure the most time in the water for every participant.
Other than a lunch break on the big boat, we’ll spend most of each day patrolling in the tenders, scouting for the whales’ telltale spouts and flukes. We’ll mainly be looking for mothers and their calves, but will likely come across heat runs, singing whales, romantic displays and dramatic breaches. Mostly, though, we’ll be looking for curious, playful calves and their mothers, since such encounters can sometimes last for hours.
The main focus of this special trip is in-water whale encounters, where we’ll be using snorkel gear only. If you’re a diehard diver and can’t resist bringing scuba gear that’s fine, but please realize
that diving opportunities will be limited to dusk and night night dives beneath the boat. In my opinion it’s not worth dragging your dive gear along, especially considering today’s restrictive baggage policies.
Swimming with humpback whales requires patience. If you swim straight at the whale, it will swim away and everyone on the boat will look at you with angry eyes. If you float in a small group and stay still, the baby whale will get curious and come to check you out. In order to ensure good encounters for everyone we have prepared guidelines for behavior in the water and will forward them after the deposits are received.
Payment will be based on Naia’s standard rates, which for 16 passengers would be $4895 p/p. However, for our trip with only 12 passengers, it works out to about $6530 p/p, not including airfare, alcohol or tips. Nai’a does apply a fuel surcharge, which is currently $14/person/day. If it changes, we’ll be given three month’s notice before our trip. Happily, there are no port fees, local taxes or other hidden charges. For more about Nai’a, visit http://www.naia.com.fj/tonga/index.html
If you wish to come, please don’t delay - DEPOSITs are being accepted.
As many people will purchase 2 week tickets in and out of Fiji, there is an option to add a few days of shark diving in Pacific Harbor Fiji before or after the live aboard. Participants will be met at either Nadi or Suva airports and driven to Pacific Harbor where they will spend 3 nights at the Uprising resort. Two days of shark diving with Beqa Adventure Divers and transportation to Suva or Nadi airport is provided. The cost will be around $750. Scuba gear can be rented.
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